Vibrams

[zml]

About 5 weeks ago, I picked up a pair of Vibram Five Fingers at REI, after Matt's positive review. The selection at REI was narrow in my size, so I ended up with the Sprint. I've been running in them ever since, up to 8 miles last week

Comments

[talldean]

I've really been considering picking a pair of those - or similar - up, after reading Chi Running. After that review, will definitely keep an eye out for a pair.

How's the sizing for fit? That is, if you bought a size 11, do you normally wear an 11?

[zml]

After that review, will definitely keep an eye out for a pair.

You may need to go to the store locater on the Vibram website. I was lucky that the REI near me actually stocked them - they're the only brick & mortar Vibram retailer in WA.

How's the sizing for fit? That is, if you bought a size 11, do you normally wear an 11?

The sizing is different. There's a conversion chart on the web (look for it near the price on the Sprint link at the top of my entry), but it relies on you measuring the actual length of your foot rather than relying on your typical show size. The actual sizes are European centimeter style, but even if you know your European size I wouldn't rely on it. The sizing issue was one of the reasons I found a brick & mortar store. mdf356 solved this another way: he ordered two sizes and returned one. Costs a little extra, but means you can handle it online. None of the free-return-shipping online shoe retailers (shoes.com, zappos) seem to have them, though.

[talldean]

Looks like Pittsburgh has two options, neither are the REI; thanks for the reminder to look first!

My front porch is a great dropoff for the UPS guy; no one bothers stuff there, so I've tended to mailorder a lot of stuff since leaving apartment living for a bit. :-) Might be a mailorder time.

[ssaiscps]

Creepy looking!

[mdf356]

The Mt Si 50K was entirely on gravel; it was freshly laid for the first few miles (ouch) and after that I tried to run mostly on the dirt where it had worn away. But despite the fact that my feet felt like hamburger, they looked fine at the end and felt fine the next day.

My running form still is crappy enough that I blister when barefoot after about 5 miles. But I'm still trying, hoping pain is a good teacher. :-)

The other thing I just discovered about the Vibrams is that, though they don't look it, they're really thick. That is, my two-year-old pair has been worn nearly to the canvas on the forefoot (because I don't run quite right) and I can feel almost as much of the texture of the ground in those as barefoot. I ran yesterday in my much less worn pair, and I felt much more isolated from all that texture.

[zml]

Where do you blister? I haven't had trouble with blisters anywhere except my big toes. The big toe blisters were a little nasty after my 8mi last week, though, but they healed really fast. They were basically pain-free the next day.

[mdf356]

I still push off the ground when I run barefoot, so I blister where my foot pushes. For me, that's the inside of the ball, and also a spot on the inside edge of my big toe (the edge closest to the other foot). The blister spot is basically right where my first pair of Vibram's is worn through. :-)

When my forefoot got raw one time barefoot I started using a lot more heel action and I got a spot on the outside middle of my heel too.

[zml]

Oh, one thing I've been meaning to ask you about. Do you get brown crusties in your Vibrams in between your toes and the balls of your feet? My best guess is that it's condensed dried sweat and dirt, but it's a buildup I've never really encountered before.

[frakkinfabulous]

It's so funny that I read this! They were just suggested to me as a good pair of shoes to try, esp. since I'm essentially a workout n00b, so I don't have to make any changes, etc. to my training. Glad to hear they get your seal of approval! I'll have to check the REI in RTC on Friday when I get paid.

[zml]

Sadly, the store locator seems to suggest that the downtown Seattle REI is the only brick & mortar that carries them in all of Washington. Matt mentioned that when he ordered his, he just ordered two pair online and sent the less fitting pair back. Note that the sizing is a little odd, too - you need to measure your feet and then use their little chart (next to the price on the product screen). Or just venture into Seattle. :)

[frakkinfabulous]

I'll probably just venture into Seattle. It's a pretty good excuse and if I remember correctly, it's near a German pub a lot of my friends are into. I'm sure I can catch a ride rather easily!